Acupuncture New Patients
What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
Many first-time patients are concerned that acupuncture will be painful - it isn't. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles that you will hardly feel when they are inserted. The goal of the acupuncture needle, is for it to access your body's energy - or qi. This activation can feel like a heavy, achy pressure, or like a sensation of warmth or fluid movement. You may also feel an "electrical" sensation moving down the meridian pathways, though this is less common. Most patients find these acupuncture sensations deeply satisfying and leave the treatment feeling relaxed both mentally and physically.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so more then one treatment is necessary. For acute conditions you can expect to have at least 3-5 treatments, at which point we will re-evaluate to see how you're responding. Usually you will begin to feel relief after just the first few sessions, however everyone responds differently. Chronic conditions may take longer to respond, depending on the type, severity, and duration of your symptoms. Preventative treatments and treatments for general well-being may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis, the frequency of which varies based on individual preference.
Your First Visit
On your initial visit, I will conduct a thorough health history, as the holistic approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes all aspects of your health into account. Your current symptoms may not seem related to past health issues, but our bodies are complex landscapes and everything that happens to them leaves its mark. After the intake, I will examine your tongue and feel your pulse, both of which are basic diagnostic methods of TCM. The acupuncture points chosen will depend on your symptoms as well as the underlying root cause, but you can expect approximately 20 needles. Once the needles are inserted, you will lie comfortably for 25-30 minutes with the needles in place, allowing the body and mind to relax.
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture works by activating the body's own innate healing ability, so it can be beneficial for many health concerns. In today's world with the opioid crisis, more doctors are suggesting acupuncture to their pain patients as an alternative to the addictive pain medications. As acupuncture has no adverse side effects, it has become a viable option to helping reduce chronic, stubborn pain. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented many symptoms, diseases, and conditions that have been shown in controlled clinical trials to be effectively treated with acupuncture. Below are some common conditions that acupuncture can treat, but please feel free to contact me about your specific concerns.
Acupuncture Treats:
Headaches/Migraines * Arm/wrist/hand pain * Sinusitis * Stress
Back Pain * Carpal tunnel syndrome * Allergies * Anxiety
Neck pain * Tennis elbow * Asthma * Depression
Shoulder pain * Repetitive strain injury * Heartburn/acid reflux * Insomnia
Sports injuries * Jaw pain (TMJ syndrome) * IBS * Fatigue
Muscle pain * Dental pain * Chronic indigestion *PTSD
Leg, ankle and foot pain * Arthritis * Nausea/vomiting * Weight Loss
Knee pain * Tendonitis * Peptic ulcer * Infertility
Hip pain * Postoperative pain * Chronic/acute gastritis * Menstrual irregularities
Sciatica * Neuropathy * Hypertension * Increased efficacy of IVF
Arm, wrist and hand pain * Myofascial pain syndrome *Palpitations * Prostate health